Fake campaign donation scams on the rise: How to stay safe

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – With just 62 days away from the presidential election, 10 On Your Side is warning people about increasing election scams.

As deep fake technology improves, new types of scams are attempting to trick unsuspecting people into donating to a fake campaign and, in some cases, even harvesting sensitive data.

According to experts, scammers have begun using AI technology in order to create bogus campaign donation phone calls. The scammers use AI in order to make the person on the other line sound like a real politician.

Scammers could also ask for extremely personal information under the guise of helping to register you as a voter. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) states you cannot legitimately register to vote over the phone.

For those who do wish to make a campaign donation, experts recommend you use a credit card instead of a debit card — just in case you do fall victim to a scam.

“Most people have been donating by their debit cards, which is a no-no,” Hampton Roads BBB Marketing Manager Fredlena Cosby said. “You always want to, if you’re going to do something online like that, use your credit card. It’s a lot easier to trace and get your money back.”

The Federal Election Commission tracks registered Political Action Committees (PACs) on their website and encourages individuals to check the list before making any campaign donation.

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